Cyprus-Forum.com

[insan]

The naked truth in almost all around the world...

"When one voice rules the nation
Just because they're top of the pile
Doesn't mean their vision is the clearest
The voices of the people
Are falling on deaf ears
Our politicians all become careerists

They must declare their interests
But not their company cars
Is there more to a seat in parliament
Than sitting on your arse
And the best of all this bad bunch
Is shouting to be heard
Above the sound of ideologies clashing

Outside the patient millions
Who put them into power
Expect a little more back for their taxes
Like school books, beds in hospitals
And peace in our bloody time
All they get is old men grinding axes

Who've built their private fortunes
On the things they can rely
The courts, the secret handshake
The Stock Exchange and the old school tie
For God and Queen and Country
All things they justify
Above the sound of ideologies clashing

God bless the civil service
The nations saving grace
While we expect democracy
They're laughing in our face
And although our cries get louder
The laughter gets louder still
Above the sound of ideologies clashing

Above the sound of ideologies,
Above the sound of ideologies,
Above the sound of ideologies clashing"

[bill cobbett]

Ah ... Billy Bragg...!!! Excellent working geezer and poet.

Here's another one of his bestest... New England...!!!

[Paphitis]

The naked truth in almost all around the world...

"When one voice rules the nation
Just because they're top of the pile
Doesn't mean their vision is the clearest
The voices of the people
Are falling on deaf ears
Our politicians all become careerists

They must declare their interests
But not their company cars
Is there more to a seat in parliament
Than sitting on your arse
And the best of all this bad bunch
Is shouting to be heard
Above the sound of ideologies clashing

Outside the patient millions
Who put them into power
Expect a little more back for their taxes
Like school books, beds in hospitals
And peace in our bloody time
All they get is old men grinding axes

Who've built their private fortunes
On the things they can rely
The courts, the secret handshake
The Stock Exchange and the old school tie
For God and Queen and Country
All things they justify
Above the sound of ideologies clashing

God bless the civil service
The nations saving grace
While we expect democracy
They're laughing in our face
And although our cries get louder
The laughter gets louder still
Above the sound of ideologies clashing

Above the sound of ideologies,
Above the sound of ideologies,
Above the sound of ideologies clashing"

You know, I am getting quite enough of all the cynicism about Government etc.

I have met many dignitaries and Heads of State in the past and one thing I have notice is that behind closed doors they go through stages of changing alertness. It's as if they always need urgent respite.

The taxpayer complains that they do not represent them, that their pay packets are a waste of their tax money, that they should all be sacked, that they represent the interests of big business, and that they are all it in for themselves.

One thing I have come to understand is that most of them:
1) would earn 5 times more in the Private Sector,
2) most of them are there to make a difference,
3) most of them are there to do what is best for the community and for the future,
4) sometimes they have to make hard, and unpopular decisions.

You can see the tiredness in their eyes (they look like they have been smoking a peace joint). You can see when they sit on their leather couches like a sack of potatous. You can detect the stress in their voice. And when the door opens towards a greeting party and a throng of media, up goes their smile and out comes their prepared speech.

Not an easy job. Can any of you do this? Being at the centre of attention all day? Do you really think they do not earn their money?

Everyone needs to ask themselves; "what is Government"?

Government is you and I, and everyone in the community.

We are the Government! We elect our Officials and these officials have to make laws, policies, and decisions on our behalf. The money that funds the country and all its services, are our tax dollars. It is as simple as that!

[Paphitis]

Well let me add that you hope that it is our tax money that Bank Rolls our Government to provide services, social security, defence, schools, and health care.

However, for most countries it is not enough. Which is why most Governments have to borrow money. We saw what happened to Greece, and Cyprus.

The age of entitlement is over people. Governments realize that they need to work towards viability. It's ok if the GDP outgrows debt and when the debt is at 1% interest but when that balance changes, then the country is in trouble.

So what does the Government have to do? There are 2 choices:
1) Tax the crap out of the working people and business - this causes a downturn and less employment!
2) Cut government Spending - hospitals, schools, defence, social security etc etc - also causes a slight downturn.

None are good options for any Government to consider but that is where we the people have placed our elected representatives.

People need to understand that if they want a lifestyle, then they have to work for it. It doesn't come for free and the Government is not there to pay people for what they deem is an entitlement. Good old school principles which seem to be lacking in today's selfish world. In the old days, the previous generation had to work hard and they made sacrifices to get ahead. Some built assets, and others would say things like "gee you're so lucky". It's got nothing to do with luck! Those that are well off worked hard for it and sacrificed to achieve this. Once again, I remind everyone that we are the Government, and the Government's money comes from our tax!

They must however look after certain sections of the community;
1) that are truly vulnerable,
2) the elderly,
3) and those that genuinely can't find work.

[insan]

Yes Bafidi, we are the governments... but there are many "we" factions and self interest groups among the tax payers too... some of them gets the bigger slices unjustly... big capital owners on the top and the politicians around it... then comes the second economic class of people... another "we" section of the commuinity...

... but of course there are lesser of the evils ...


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/2 ... 35363.html

[Paphitis]

Yes Bafidi, we are the governments... but there are many "we" factions and self interest groups among the tax payers too... some of them gets the bigger slices unjustly... big capital owners on the top and the politicians around it... then comes the second economic class of people... another "we" section of the commuinity...

... but of course there are lesser of the evils ...


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/2 ... 35363.html

I would really like to see how they come up with these indices!

In some countries you get paid to have babies and in some areas they use the money to buy a plasma yet they rate poorly according to that!

I guess you can be socially included if you want to be, but some people don't make it easy on themselves.

The United States is a country I could happily migrate to well before I would even consider Europe. North America in general is fantastic! Only thing that is rubbish is their Health System really.

[repulsewarrior]

...fear, in one word the social justice measured is the lack of it.

this would explain the rankings, Americans have a lot to be afraid about in their daily lives.

[Paphitis]

...fear, in one word the social justice measured is the lack of it.

this would explain the rankings, Americans have a lot to be afraid about in their daily lives.

I don't know RW, but I always find the States as being a very cheap place to live in in comparison to Australia which has become the dearest country in the world.

The thing with Australia is that it now has a 2 tier economy. The vast majority can't survive because everything is geared to the mining and oil boom. If you're on the average wage, you're pretty much f@#ked!!

This is what may happen in Cyprus in about 10 to 20 years time. If you're not in the Oil and gas industry, earning 10000 (probably 20000 by then) as a minimum per month, then you won't be able to buy groceries! You watch!